Table for one? Solo restaurant opens in Swedish countryside

In a remote part of the Swedish countryside, a couple has opened what may be the smallest restaurant in the world. With just one table, one chair, and only one guest a day, it's the ultimate social distancing dining experience.

Ransater:The global pandemic has dragged the world into a whirlpool of fear and panic. These hardships opened new gates for some people who are experimenting with different ideas through which they could provide a balance in economic life while following the guidelines created to protect people from COVID-19.

Keeping this in mind a couple from Ransater, a small town more than 200 miles west of Stockholm came up with a unique dining experience and transformed it into reality on Sunday (10 May 2020).

The concept is simple: a table in the middle of a field, a basket is lowered down to the guest along a cable stretching from the kitchen window.

"I think one of the things many of us miss the most in these times is travelling, and since we can't geographically travel far, I think at least by our minds we can travel," says co-founder and chef Rasmus Person.

"One of the best methods of having an inner journey is, at least I think so, is by food and nature. So, I think this combination and this experience will hopefully transport him somewhere. We'll see where that is."

Rasmus and his partner Linda Karlsson say they plan to keep the restaurant open during the summer and hope it can provide guests with a few hours of tranquillity.

Sweden took a relatively soft approach to fight the coronavirus, one that attracted international attention.

Large gatherings were banned, but restaurants and schools for younger children have stayed open.

The government has urged social distancing, and Swedes have largely complied.

The country has paid a heavy price, with 3,256 fatalities from COVID-19.

That's more than 31 deaths per 1,00,000 population, compared with about 9 per 1,00,000 in neighbouring Denmark, which imposed a strict lockdown early on that is only now being slowly lifted.

For people in the region, the restaurant still has bookings available upon request in June and July.

(With inputs from AP)